Presidential Medal of Merit

BACK DEVICE(s) None

Description:

1. Authorized by Public Law 671, 77th Congress
2. The decoration of the Medal for Merit shall be awarded only by the President of the United States or at his direction.
3. Awards of the Medal for Merit may be made to such civilians of the nations prosecuting the warunder the joint declaration of the United Nations and of other friendly foreign nations, as have, since the proclamation of an emergency by the President on September 8, 1939, distinguished themselves by exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services. Awards of the Medal for Meritmade to civilians of foreign nations shall be for the performance of an exceptionally meritorious or courageous act or acts in furtherance of the war efforts of the United Nations and shall have the prior approval of the Secretary of State.
4. There is hereby created a Board to be known as the "Medal for Merit Board", which shall consist of
   1. The Secretary of State
   2. The Secretary of War
   3. The Secretary of the Navy
   4. The Chairman of the War Production Board, and
   5. The Director of the Office of Civilian Defense
5. The Secretary of State shall act as Chairman of the Board. Each member of the Board may designate analternate to represent him on the Board and empower the person so designated to act in his stead.
6. The Medal for Merit Board will receive and consider proposals for the award of the decoration of the Medal forMerit and submit to the President the recommendations of the Board with respect thereto.
7. The Medal for Merit Board is authorized to prescribe, with the approval of the President, such rules andregulations not inconsistent with the provisions of this order as may be necessary to accomplish its purposes.

Background:

1. The medal is a disc of gilt and enamel, based on the Seal of the President of the United States, with the eagle surrounded by a wreath of leaves.
2. The medal is suspended on a ribbon, dark blue with a light blue central stripe and white edge stripes.